[WTM] Railway & Travel News > Japan Railway News > Disrupted due to heavy snow – Kisuki Line between Izumo-Yokota and Bingo-Ochiai

Disrupted due to heavy snow – Kisuki Line between Izumo-Yokota and Bingo-Ochiai

横山 勝巳 / Yokoyama Katsumi

JR West has announced that they will suspend operation until the further notice due to heavy snow between Izumo-Yokota Station and Bingo-Ochiai Station on the Kisuki Line.

JR West KIHA 120 type diesel car waiting for departure at Izumo-Sakane Station on the Kisuki Line where switchback is performed (image) ©Katsumi
JR West KIHA 120 type diesel car waiting for departure at Izumo-Sakane Station on the Kisuki Line where switchback is performed (image) ©Katsumi

Due to the heavy snowfall, the operation was disrupted in the from the first train on December 20, 2020 (Sunday). The service status updated at 17:30 on the day says that the operation will be canceled “for the time being” and that they will inform later when the operation will resume. Bus substitute transportation started on December 23 (Wednesday), however it may be canceled due to road conditions.

[Look at the railway map] Kisuki Line Disrupted by the Heavy Snow

The section between Izumo-Yokota Station and Bingo-Ochiai Station on the Kisuki Line is a mountainous section that passes through the prefectural border between Shimane and Hiroshima. The switchback at Izumo-Sakane Station is famous – the railroad tracks laid in a zigzag shape to change direction on steep slopes. Due to heavy snowfall, long-term suspensions often occur in winter.